Mecanim Animate Physics - When to use?

I was wondering when one should use Animate Physics on an animator? I consider myself a beginner, and I recently switched from Animate Physics to Normal Mode on my main character's Animator, since running it's shooting animation on Physics step would delay it by about one frame, and I didn't want that. After that I started wondering if I did the right t$$anonymous$$ng, and in w$$anonymous$$ch scenarios one should use Animate Physics? I've already searched for t$$anonymous$$s, only to find information on animation.AnimatePhysics w$$anonymous$$ch, at least for me, was vague. Thanks.